"Of your Charity pray for the Souls of Martin Mallinder, who departed July 2nd 1847, his Wife Anne who departed June 7th 1880 and of their Son Thomas, who departed Feb 19th 1870: Also of Thomas, and John, Sons of the above Thomas, the former departed May 29th 1869, the latter April 21st 1877. Also of Sarah Bacon, who departed Dec 1st 1872. on whose souls Jesu have mercy Amen."
These are the words written on a set of red tiles in gold writing that will be around for hundreds, or perhaps, thousands of years. These words capture a moment in time that can now be fully unfolded. These are some of the questions that you may have.
The tiles first came to my attention whilst at Kew Archives with Susie Shaw (sharing great great great grandparents Martin Mallinder and Anne Ellis) and her auntie Ros on Wednesday 22nd July 2015. I was amazed to see the tiles online and had no idea that such a memorial was in place at St Maries Cathedral, Sheffield. I contacted Trish Nixon (second cousin sharing great grandparents Joseph Mallinder and Hannah Aiken) and asked her to get a picture of them. Trish and her mother Maureen (my father's cousin) did a great job in getting these pictures you now see. I also contacted Bill Burleigh who had written "A History of St. Marie's Cathedral and Parish: Catholicism in Sheffield 1549-1850 Part one" for help on understanding the tiles. I would like to thank Susie, Trish and Bill for all their help.
In the tiling on the floor, to the far left aisle of the main atrium, at St Maries Cathedral in Sheffield.
The tiles were made about 1880.
As a memorial asking for prayers for a fair number of deceased parishioners.
Probably the wife of Thomas Mallinder (1827-1878), nee. Elizabeth Crossland.
Martin Mallinder my great great great grandfather
Martin's wife Anne nee. Ellis my my great great great grandmother
Martin and Anne's son Thomas Mallinder my great great grandfather
Thomas Mallinder my great great grandfather's son
John Mallinder my great great grandfather's son
Sarah Bacon a relation to my great great grandfather's brother John's wife called Rosa Bacon.
Yes. Thomas Mallinder did not die in 1870 as the tiles say. He died in 1878, have a look at this newspaper annoucement from the Sheffield Independent.